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What Is an Ankle Fracture?
A fracture is a partial or
complete break in a bone. In
the ankle, fractures can range from
the less serious avulsion injuries
(small pieces of bone that have been
pulled off) to severe shattering-type
breaks of the tibia, fibula, or both.
Ankle fractures are common
injuries that are most often caused
by the ankle rolling inward or
outward.Many people mistake an
ankle fracture for an ankle sprain,
but they are quite different and
therefore require an accurate and
early diagnosis. They sometimes
occur simultaneously.
Signs and Symptoms
An ankle fracture is accompanied
by one or all of these signs and
symptoms:
• Pain at the site of the fracture,
which in some cases can extend
from the foot to the knee
• Significant swelling, which may
occur along the length of the
leg or may be more localized
• Blisters may occur over
the fracture site. These should
be promptly treated by
your surgeon.
• Bruising, which develops soon
after the injury
• Inability to walk—however, it
is possible to walk with less
severe breaks, so never rely on
walking as a test of whether a
bone has been fractured
• Change in the appearance of
the ankle so that it differs from
the other ankle
• Bone protruding through the
skin—a sign that immediate
care is needed! Fractures
that pierce the skin require
immediate attention because
they can lead to severe infection
and prolonged recovery.
What to Do
Following an ankle injury it
is important to have the ankle
evaluated by a foot and ankle
surgeon for proper diagnosis
and treatment. If you are unable
to do so right away, go to the
emergency room and then follow
up with a foot and ankle surgeon
as soon as possible for a more
thorough assessment.
Until you are able to be
examined by a doctor, the “R.I.C.E.”
principle should be followed.
This involves:
• Rest. It is crucial to stay off the
injured foot, since walking can
cause further damage.
• Ice. To reduce swelling and
pain, apply a bag of ice over a
thin towel to the affected area
for 20 minutes of each waking
hour. Do not put ice directly
against the skin.
• Compression.Wrap the ankle
in an elastic bandage or wear a
compression stocking to prevent
further swelling.
• Elevation. Keep the foot elevated
to reduce the swelling. It should
be even with or slightly above
the hip level.
Diagnosis
The foot and ankle surgeon will
examine the affected limb, touching
specific areas to evaluate the injury.
In addition, the surgeon may order
x-rays and other imaging studies,
as necessary.
Treatment
Treatment of ankle fractures
depends upon the type
and severity of the injury.
Options include:
• Immobilization. Certain fractures
are treated by protecting
and restricting the ankle and
foot in a cast or splint. This
allows the bone to heal.
• Prescription medications.
To help relieve the pain,
the surgeon may prescribe
pain medications or antiinflammatory
drugs.
• Surgery. For some injuries,
surgery is needed to repair
the fracture and other related
injuries, if present. The foot and
ankle surgeon will select the
procedure that is appropriate
for your injury.
Follow-up Care
It is important to follow your surgeon’s
instructions after treatment. Failure
to do so can lead to infection, deformity,
arthritis, and chronic pain.
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